Walker inching closer to return
After having three games postponed since Sunday due to health and safety protocols related to COVID-19, the Celtics are expected to take the court tonight at TD Garden against the Orlando Magic.
All-Star point guard Kemba Walker, however, will once again not be in uniform. Walker is still recovering from his left knee injury and is part of a Celtics’ injury report that reads like a grocery list.
Jayson Tatum, Robert Williams and Carsen Edwards have been ruled out due to health and safety protocols, while Jaylen Brown, Javonte Green, Semi Ojeleye and Daniel Theis are questionable for the same reason. Romeo Langford (right wrist) is also out.
The C’s practiced on Thursday, their first time on the floor together since last Sunday’s walkthrough before that night’s game against Miami was postponed. Only nine players participated in the practice, one of them being Walker, who says he’s feeling strong but is staying patient about making his season debut.
“I’m definitely going to make the best decision for myself, but honestly I’m feeling pretty good right now,” said Walker. “I know I did say I was feeling really good the last time before the bubble, which I was. But it was just the timing in between just wasn’t really beneficial for me.
“But now, I am feeling really good. The way I’m feeling right now is different from the way I felt before I went into the bubble. I’ve just been able to take my time. I really just attacked my rehab from Day 1. I wanted to get healthy, I want to stay healthy, try my best to not have any setbacks. That’s the plan. Whenever I’m feeling good and whenever I’m mentally ready to get out there, comfortable, I will.”
Walker’s last appearance was Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Miami Heat on Sept. 27 in the Disney World bubble. He received a stem cell injection in his troublesome left knee prior to the start of training camp after he was clearly not at 100% in the bubble. After a 12-week strengthening program, he was cleared to resume practicing last week.
This week’s health crisis within the organization has definitely slowed Walker’s transition back to full speed because he hadn’t been able to go hard with his teammates until Thursday.
Of course, that’s life in the NBA during the 2020-21 season, as coronavirus is already running amok. Ten games (nine this week) have been postponed in a season that is only slightly more than three weeks old.
“No frustration. This is going to be happening throughout the course of this year,” said Walker. “You just never know, so you just got to adjust and adapt, and that’s what I’ve been doing.”
Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said Walker’s strengthening has gone “fantastic” and he went “full-go” for an hour at Thursday’s practice.
“We did a lot of up and down, a lot of just trying to get our legs back in some ways with guys that haven’t done anything for a week, and he looked good,” said Stevens. “What that means as far as next steps, and playing, and when to play and all that stuff, that’s a decision for Kemba and our training staff. But I think they’ve put together a heck of a plan.”
Young stars impressing Kemba
With a 7-3 record, the Celtics own the best mark in the Eastern Conference.
“I think this team has navigated the first 10 games of the season, from a record standpoint, better than I thought we would,” said Stevens. “And I’m not sure we played that well.”
Walker has had a front row seat as his two young teammates Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have grown into stars and have carried the C’s early in the season.
The 22-year-old Tatum is averaging 26.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists, while 24-year-old Brown is averaging 26.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Both players are shooting over 42% from 3-point land. Brown is shooting nearly 54% from the floor.
“I feel good about the team, especially our two superstars,” said Walker. “Those guys have really been holding the fort down and just absolutely killing it.”
Walker went on to praise the rest of his team as well. But he later gushed more about Brown and Tatum.
“They’ve been just absolutely killing it, just taking their games to another level. It’s really been exciting to watch,” said Walker.
“I really see these two guys in the gym, just working on their stuff, working on their games and continuously getting better... I think for me, being close-up, that’s what makes me their biggest fan.”
Safety first
Stevens said basketball has definitely been on the back burner this week.
“The games are so secondary in my mind right now to just making sure we’re healthy, trying to enjoy each other’s company,” Stevens said. “We’ll get ready to be as good as we can be with whoever is available and we’ll do as good of a job as we can.”
With the comfort of a safe bubble no longer in play, and teams getting on planes and traveling around the country, the potential for virus outbreaks is high.
“I don’t think there’s an easy answer here,” Stevens said. “This is a difficult time around the country. This pandemic is as rampant as it’s ever been and obviously we’re feeling some of that despite the great precautions and great steps we’re taking not to.
“One of the things we tried to do right from the gate is talk about this is going to be a year of curveballs, this is not going to be easy, and at the same time we’re going to do our very best to keep each other safe.”